Greetings Everyone,
Our chance opportunity last November for TOSA members access in the Albert Hall to celebrate and play the Society’s Compton theatre pipe organ immediately following final organ tuning and regulation of the organ by visiting organ builder, Nick Lang from Melbourne was well attended. Despite the hurried short notice, the event was very much appreciated from the number of players and listeners who attended and a great culmination for the work undertaken in increasing the air throughput of the organ. Fulsome credit must be given to Nick, together with Steve Lanham, for their excellent work in the tuning and tonal balancing of the Compton pipes, and especially so with the Post Horn rank now tonally balanced as an effective integral entity rather than as an awkwardly strident solo stop as previous. Nick has generously provided a winker regulator to enable spliting of the un tremmed wind supply in the main chamber. The Posthorn and String bass are now voiced on 10” wind pressure and the Bourdon extension and Diapason bass on 12” wind pressure.

Overall, a magnificent task well done and our sincere thanks not just to Nick Lang, but to the ACT Government through ACT Heritage and our 2024 Heritage Grant Award for financial assistance, and to staff of the Cultural Facilities Corporation (CFC) for their ongoing enthusiasm and access support throughout the project and in giving the opportunity for TOSA members access in the final days prior to the hall’s closure for the 2026 planned shutdown.
The luncheon opportunity would not have been the success that it was, were it not for the generous donation and efforts by TOSA executives Darrell Gaukroger and Stuart Warner in their contribution of food and beverages for the afternoon. Many thanks, guys!

Well, Easter is almost upon us, and the scaffolding surrounding the Albert Hall is just going up and will hold up a protective covering over the whole building. Hopefully, the tasks of roof replacement, etc, will be completed as per schedule by the latter half of 2026. Notwithstanding, TOSA management activities, obligations - and success, continue!
,br> First, I wish to report the favourable attendance of Stephen Lanham as TOSA (ACT) Inc. representative at the recent AGM of Friends of the Albert Hall Inc.. For several years now, TOSA has been an Associate financial member of the society of Friends of the Albert Hall Inc., and TOSA committee (and if I might also say, FOAH) place great importance in the mutual recognition and respective interests of each of our separate organisations and the well-being prospects of the Albert Hall.

Now, for some very great news!
In short, under the ACT Heritage Act 2004 there is a legislative requirement for an Albert Hall Conservation Management Plan (AH-CMP), to be reviewed every 10 years. An updated CMP review (this being the third) has recently been undertaken by respected heritage architect Eric Martin AM and Associates (EMAA).

To TOSA’s delight, this is the first AH-CMP review where TOSA and the Compton Organ in the Albert Hall has been recognised in a positive sense; to the extent that “The Compton Pipe Organ has its own heritage value and should be assessed for its inclusion as a separate object on the ACT Heritage Register.” Further on, as part of Policies relating to Management, “Involve community stakeholders (including the Albert Hall Reference Group, TOSA and Friends of the Albert Hall) in the governance of the Albert Hall Block.”

Without commenting further, and with tears of joy welling in my eyes, I think I will leave it there - and Wish One and All,
A Happy, Safe and Enjoyable Easter!
Sincerely,
Kingsley Herbert